Backbone, badly bent
EDITORIAL: Calling the district judiciary the backbone of Pakistan’s justice system is entirely appropriate, because this is where most citizens encounter the courts and where confidence in justice is ultimately won or lost. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi’s emphasis on better working conditions, professional resources and institutional support for judicial officers is therefore welcome. But even a…
Pakistan's district judiciary, often referred to as the backbone of the country's justice system, has been severely neglected over the years. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has called for better working conditions, resources, and institutional support for judicial officers, but the state of district courts reveals the depth of neglect.
Overcrowding, inadequate resources, limited specialization, procedural delays, unhygienic premises, and corruption have accumulated, leaving district courts with an enormous burden and insufficient support. Recent initiatives, such as solarisation of court complexes, e-libraries, internet facilities, clean drinking water, and Women Facilitation Centres, are positive steps, particularly in underserved districts.
Additionally, progress has been made in case disposal, with over 1.46 million time-bound cases decided between September 2025 and July 2026, and Model Criminal and Civil Courts handling more than 133,000 cases. However, these improvements are not enough to address the fundamental issues plaguing the justice system. Pakistan's civil and criminal justice systems rank 129th and 101st, respectively, out of 143 jurisdictions in the World Justice Project's 2025 Rule of Law Index, highlighting the larger institutional challenge facing the courts.
Corruption is deeply entrenched in the justice system, affecting not only judges and lawyers but also the broader machinery of court officials and lower staff. This corruption, combined with the struggles faced by ordinary citizens navigating the system, underscores the urgent need for stronger accountability and reform. The higher judiciary must play a more significant role in driving these reforms, as many of the necessary changes originate from above.
While acknowledging the backbone of the system is essential, it should translate into sustained investment and support rather than occasional attention. Until the conditions under which judges work and the experiences of litigants are improved, the district judiciary cannot fulfill its central purpose of delivering justice efficiently and fairly.
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